AIMS: Expression of the HER2 oncogene in breast cancer is associated with resistance to treatment, and Her2 may regulate bioenergetics. Therefore, we investigated whether disruption of the electron transport chain (ETC) is a viable strategy to eliminate Her2high disease. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Her2high cells and tumors have increased assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SCs) and increased complex I-driven respiration in vitro and in vivo. They are also highly sensitive to MitoTam, a novel mitochondrial-targeted derivative of tamoxifen. Unlike tamoxifen, MitoTam efficiently suppresses experimental Her2high tumors without systemic toxicity. Mechanistically, MitoTam inhibits complex I-driven respiration and disrupts respiratory SCs in Her2high background in vitro and in vivo, leading to elevated reactive oxygen species production and cell death. Intriguingly, higher sensitivity of Her2high cells to MitoTam is dependent on the mitochondrial fraction of Her2. INNOVATION: Oncogenes such as HER2 can restructure ETC, creating a previously unrecognized therapeutic vulnerability exploitable by SC-disrupting agents such as MitoTam. CONCLUSION: We propose that the ETC is a suitable therapeutic target in Her2high disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 84-103.

Biomedical Research Center University Hospital Hradec Kralove Czech Republic

Institute of Biotechnology Czech Academy of Sciences BIOCEV Vestec Prague West Czech Republic

Institute of Molecular Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Physiology Prague Czech Republic

Prague Institute of Chemical Technology Prague Czech Republic

School of Medical Science Griffith University Southport Australia

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